How To Play The 3 Finger Technique On Bass (w/ Multiple Combos!)

[@danmarshall5895]

Weirdly even my 2 finger technique has always been mostly first and third finger. My challenge has always been integrating my middle finger (not a challenge in other parts of my daily life).

[@BaepseMan]

I know this is an old video and this is such a small thing that I'm sure people notice but I'm learning on my own so..lol but its really important to remember that you will always start on 1 and end on 4 with the same finger and then you move to the next finger (with 321 combo) keep learning people and thank you so much for this video!

[@Kevtron9000]

The 3 4 problems is real. Been practicing 3 fingers on my own for about 20 years. Your video is the first I’ve seen on the subject and now I feel like I’m so excited to dust this off and make it musical again. I do it on my solos all the time, mixing it in, but you’ve made me want to give it some back bone

[@joachimrieb1014]

Very good lesson.I'm working on it.Cheers,mate.

[@sanchito39]

Been playing with 3 fingers for over 15 years due to John Myung's influence. Must say, you've covered the solid basics of the technique. Couple things I'd like to add. 1. Hardest part for me was disassociating my left and right hands (esp. when the left hand plays different notes). You can actually practice this WITHOUT a bass. Put your fingers on a table or your lap and do a 1234 pattern on your left hand while doing a 123 pattern on your right, making sure you land your fingers at the same time. Then to up the challenge, change the left hand pattern to 1324 or 1432 and so on. This will also help with fixing the 321 over the 4 count. 2. Don't feel that you have to do the 3 finger technique all the time. There are some bass fills that are just easier with two fingers, so don't force the technique there. 3. 321 is really faster than the 32121321 :p

[@corymohler1341]

Sick, Andrew! I’ve been trying to work on this technique recently especially after listening to the band Death. The ring finger always wants to be in its own world at first, but when you keep meticulously hammering out the 3 fingers accenting every 4th note, it seems to get more stable! Keep it up man, the Maryland and online bass community must grow stronger together!

[@Thedoug369]

I've been using the three finger technique for the entire thirty five years I've been beating up the bass. Sometimes all four and the thumb too. Never knew it was a thing though.

[@rochmainville9981]

I know the bassist for the group SADUS uses this technique but his fingering is 3212 all the time and he changes to 321321 when he does triplets or the Gallup, and he uses 2 fingers in 8th notes.

[@1904style]

Your pattern is a game changer 🤯

[@glennicide]

FnA, Claypool & Webster iz where itz at 🤘

[@laoude7890]

dont forget john myung.

[@andrepereira744]

I think that you should also practice the 1,2,3,1,2,3...with your fingers as well. I know it can be harder but in the long run its better,and i will explain why. All the ways you play in here is based with starting with the 3rd finger and then come down(3,2,1,3,2,1...),even that 1,3,2,1 is almost the same thing. But when you play with just 2 fingers for the most times you start with finger 1 (1,2,1,2,1,2...). So when you're playing with 2 fingers and want to add that 3rd one,from a point of view of physical continous motion is more natural to follow the right order of your fingers. That is,if you are playing 1,2,1,2,1,2 and then start using the 3rd finger,becomes 1,2,3,1,2,3 and not 3,2,1,3,2,1. Make sense? Also another thing that i noticed is when you say that when you use 3 fingers you really like to dig in,but i think that is more a default situation than a personal taste because is just become easier and natural for the hand,to keep the right accenting in every finger,by doing that way. Don't get me wrong,i'm not saying it isn't right. What i would say is to also practice in a smoother calmer way,with your hand closer to the body of the bass. It will help you develop finger strenght and espeacially control,also. One more tip,if i may ( i know i'm a pain in the ass), when you practice that Billy Sheehan combo,if you practice in just one fret,if you count to 4 while playing and while changing those fingers accentings it will help a lot. Hope you didn't take me wrong because i really did enjoy your video. Cheers stay safe

[@bombnom]

The Ox John Entwistle (The Who) uses 3 fingers all the time. definitely a beast of a player.

[@jonnymurphy666]

Nice video, great description of the 321 and some lovely exercises too, I've been using this technique for a loooong time and this is a fantastic way to learn it and build strength in that 3rd finger, I tend to use the 4th finger too as much as possible.

[@amediocrehuman2885]

Great Video Andrew!One thing I've noticed with this technique is that when going for a triplet,one might actually be playing a Herta so anyone trying this out might wanna keep that in mind as well.

[@bobbyincidemetal]

Thank you!!!!

[@MpBabirey]

Thank you for sharing my friend, you are so talented in your craft.

[@wireworks4252]

This is extremely useful content, you have gained a sub today :)

[@RJMelling]

Hi, i've just discovered you! Loving your content and your awesome playing, and so stoked that you're covering three finger techniques and Les Claypool slap! I'm a metal band bassist and i've been mainly a plectrum player with a little bit of fingerstyle for far too many years and it's so cool that you mention Alex Webster - he's the reason I'm trying to fully embrace fingerstyle. Serious 3-fingerers should definitely check him out. Already in the last couple of years after trying to keep away from the plectrum it seems like the bass has opened up a lot more possibilities for me. Keep up the great work, I'll be tuning in regularly 😃

[@BassFreedom]

Thanks, man! I appreciate that!

[@KostkaJones]

Ive been doing 3 finger technique for a few years now, i've seen a lot of players using a double thumb technique instead of a 3 technique since you can get similar attack with a compressor. I tried combining the styles where at the end of the roll i flick my index finger up creating a picking sound, getting rid of the 4+3 problem and creating an emphasis on the upstroke. I'm trying to see if anyone has used this in a practical way yet

[@Vietnow]

the technique of Les claypool playing toys go weeding down is similar to the tremolo from Classic guitar, it consist to use 3 fingers to make fast moviments in only one string. Claypool for me is the best player.

[@WyattLite-n-inn]

Couldn’t be explained better .

[@Synequanon]

John Myung is a 3 finger beast with Dream Theater/Platypus/The Jelly Jam

[@graagullesson87]

Steve DiGiorgio is 3 finger Master on fretless bass. Check him dude :)

[@klitlikaswtfzone3220]

keen on a video covering Gojira if you feel so inclined... despite the attention Mario gets on drums, not enough love goes to the bass player Jean-Michel Labadie...

[@JavelinGuitars]

something i do to 'cheat' with incorpotating three fingers in my playing in a 4/4 signature is '3-2-1-3-2-1-2-1‘ that way i only have to go 8 reps before restarting, rather than 12 still only works on simple bass lines for me, like 'take cover' by Mr.Big 😅

[@LordEradicus]

Whoa. Mind blown. I've been using the 3-finger technique since day two, but I don't know where I got it from.

[@emildrooker9733]

🔥🔥🔥

[@ibrahimozkan9303]

hello, 3213,3213 only is useful?

[@bassboyj468]

what about string skipping?

[@joseisaichimay8878]

Damn bro, you are so good!!!

[@freddielamour1392]

First off, your KZbin channel is welcomed...but, how could you even consider 3 finger technique, without mentioning the first bassist to do it. John Entwistle!!!!!

[@Interpreteescondido]

BASS

[@pacovandonkelaar2008]

I use this pattern: 3213 2131 3132 1321 3131

[@icuabc1235]

I stick with the two, three's a little to loose.

[@andrepereira744]

Yeah,its ok. Also,sometimes two is good,three's a crowd

[@radMisc]

Those are not triplets. Those are just gallops on the down beat. A triplet is 3 notes in thee space of two, in your subdivision. Hate to be whiny but it's the truth. Great tutorial all in all

[@justinmills556]

Not one mention of Steve Bailey. Shameful.

[@andrewfreed7665]

Your not Andrew Freed, I am! :) Glad to see other Andrew Freed's killing it.

[@FrankGlover-k9b]

My technique for 3 finger is 2 in the pink and 1 in the stink